By Russ Tarby
Contributing Writer
By celebrating the holiday season with a triumphant production of the 1977 Broadway musical version of “Annie,” CNY Playhouse has earned itself a well-deserved box office bonanza.
This show can’t miss. Why? It’s based on “Little Orphan Annie,” the popular comic strip by Harold Gray. Its heartwarming script and memorable score were penned by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. The songs include some of the biggest musical theater hits ever, notably “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”
When you have a gut-wrenching story about a bright-eyed child searching for her parents, plenty of kids to populate the ensemble, the magic of Christmas and even a delightful little dog…well, you can’t miss!
And this particular production rises boldly to the occasion as director Shannon Tompkins takes a diverse cast of 39 and puts them through their paces at warp speed and with enthusiasm to spare. She makes it look easy, but marshalling this many forces and getting them to all work together is no simple task. But Tompkins did it, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
For instance, the amazingly flexible set design by Navroz Dabu depicts varied scenes ranging from the orphanage to the Warbucks mansion, from Hell’s Kitchen to Fifth Avenue. Dabu created cubbyholes for the orphans and a cushy, not-quite-oval office for the president. His design consists of dozens of movable flats hand-painted in a style that suggests Annie’s comic-strip origins.
Sarah Anson’s lighting design illuminates the entire cast but makes more noticeable contributions in darker scenes such as Annie’s sad Christmas Eve.
Although hidden behind the set pieces at stage right — the orchestra led by keyboardist Erica Moser also makes its presence felt. Trumpeter Rhys Henson really nails the main theme in the overture, and trombonist Colleen Dailey does the same for Act 2. Moser et al admirably add to the show’s awesome “oomph” without drowning out the onstage vocalists.
And “Annie” boasts plenty of solid singers, notably the cherubic Samantha Tedford in the title role and the deep-voiced Garrett Robinson as Daddy Warbucks.
He’s not known as a vocalist, but appearing as the mean Miss Hannigan, award-winning musical director Abel Searor sings with verve on tunes like “Little Girls” and “Easy Street.” His gender-bending turn as the aging, alcoholic orphanage overseer is a hoot from her entrance to the full-cast curtain call as Searor determinedly remains in character, swigging from a flask while refusing to sing along to the ever-optimistic “Tomorrow.”
Real-life married couple Josh and Korrie Taylor enliven the story as scam artists Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis. The flamboyant Lily and the cagey Rooster pose as Annie’s “parents” in an attempt to fool Warbucks and grab the $50,000 reward.
As Lily and Rooster, the Taylors join Miss Hannigan for their big number, “Easy Street,” which includes a carefree piece of jazz-hands choreography.
Since no choreographer is credited in the program, I assume that director Shannon Tompkins handled that chore as well. Other terpsichorean spectacles included “Hard Knock Life,” “I Think I’m Going to Like It Here” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile.”
Tompkins also did a great job of casting this show, and, of course, the title role is crucial. Sammy Tedford, who hails from the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District, fit the part to a tee. She has a sparkling stage presence, an unassuming sense of humor and a powerful singing voice.
Over the course of the show’s run, Tedford will alternate with another talented young lady, Kyra Dominick, a freshman at Jordan-Elbridge High School.
This is a big show, so big it requires three — count ‘em — three stage managers, Lizzy Allers and her assistants Liz Stanistreet and Heather Rosenthal.
Don’t miss this “Annie.” You’ll be sorry if you do.
“Annie,” produced by Keith Arlington, runs at 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12, 13 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, and at 8 p.m. Dec. 19, 20 and 21, at CNY Playhouse, located near the Macy’s entrance at on the second level of ShoppingTown Mall, in DeWitt. Tickets cost $28 on Thursday and Sunday and $30 on Friday and Saturday; cnyplayhouse.org; 315-885-8960.